President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. military to carry out a “decisive and powerful” military operation against the Houthis in Yemen. The Houthis said at least 31 people were killed.
The move comes in response to a series of Houthi attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, which have significantly disrupted global trade and threatened American interests.
Trump announced the decision on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, “Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen. They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones.”
🚨BREAKING: President Trump announces a full scale military strike against Houthi terrorists in Yemen. pic.twitter.com/DO8CJYYTwL
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 15, 2025
Escalation of Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea
Over the past year, the Houthis—an Iran-backed militant group—have increasingly targeted shipping routes in the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, and the Gulf of Aden. Trump criticized the previous administration’s response, saying, “Joe Biden’s response was pathetically weak, so the unrestrained Houthis just kept going.”
According to Trump, the last U.S.-flagged commercial ship to safely navigate these critical waterways did so over a year ago. Furthermore, he highlighted that the last American warship to pass through the Red Sea, four months ago, was attacked by the Houthis more than a dozen times.
The Houthi-run Health Ministry said early Sunday that the death toll had climbed to 31, including women and children. Anees al-Asbahi, a spokesperson for the ministry, said Sunday that another 101 people were wounded.
A U.S. official said this was the beginning of air strikes on Houthi targets that are expected to continue. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press.
The Cost of Inaction
Trump emphasized the economic and strategic toll of the Houthi assaults, noting that the attacks have cost the United States and the global economy billions of dollars. “Funded by Iran, the Houthi thugs have fired missiles at U.S. aircraft, and targeted our troops and allies. These relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and world economy many BILLIONS of Dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk,” he stated.
Beyond the financial impact, Trump underscored the broader threat posed by the Houthis. “The Houthis have choked off shipping in one of the most important waterways of the world, grinding vast swaths of global commerce to a halt and attacking the core principle of freedom of navigation upon which international trade and commerce depend,” he said.
A Warning to the Houthis and Iran
In a direct message to the Houthis, Trump issued an ultimatum, warning that their attacks must stop immediately. “To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!”
Trump’s military directive follows renewed reports of Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Local sources in Yemen reported multiple explosions in the capital, Sanaa, on Saturday afternoon. Trump later confirmed that U.S. forces had begun striking “terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses.”
U.S. Military Response
Trump explained the military’s objectives, stating, “Our brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defenses to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore navigational freedom. No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the waterways of the world.”
His comments reflect a broader commitment to ensuring the safety of international shipping lanes, which are vital to global trade. The Red Sea serves as a crucial passage for maritime commerce, and any disruption poses serious economic consequences worldwide.